Solenoid operated actuator device



Oct. 1, 1963 I 1.. EICKHOFF V SOLENOID OPERATED ACTUATOR DEVICE Filed June 20, 1961 INVENTOR LOUIS EICKHOFF JW ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention relates to a clutch mechanism for controlling rotation of a shaft and particularly to an improved clutch which is operated by an electric switch and solenoid.

Solenoid operated clutches have previously been utilized in conjunction with timing devices which are actuated by means of a coin dropped through a slot. The coin strikes the arm of an electric switch causing a solenoid to attract a plunger. The plunger is connected to a clutch which rotates the shaft of a timing device. A major difiiculty in this arrangement has been the speed and direct force of die solenoid operation which produces a sudden shock that frequently damages or breaks the shaft.

it is, therefore, the object of this present invention to provide an improved solenoid operated clutch device which avoids the direct sudden application of force to the shaft and prevents resultant damage.

The present invention utilizes a novel resiliently operated linkage and cam mechanism which causes the shaft to rotate on the return stroke of the solenoid plunger, rather than on the forward stroke, and provides a spring to absorb much of the shock. The detailed description and accompanying drawings which follow, consider the invention in a particular configuration. It is to be understood that this represents but one embodiment chosen for the purpose of explanation and illustration and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the instant invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the solenoid and clutch arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, a solenoid it} is energized by an electric switch (not shown), which may be actuated by a coin dropping on the arm of the switch. The solenoid controls a plunger 12 which is connected to a pair of pivotally secured levers l4- and '16. One end of lever in is secured to the exposed end of the plunger and to one end of lever 14. Lever 14 incorporates a pin or roller 18 at the other end which engages a cam or clutch plate 24). The cam is in turn secured to a shaft 22 which is rotatable in a clockwise direction to control a timing device 24. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the other end of lever 16 is connected to a spring 26 which is secured to a frame or support 28. The two levers are resiliently connected by another spring 3%.

In the normally deenergized or released position, levers 1dand 16 are extended and spring 2-6 is contracted, as shown by broken lines 32. Roller 18 of lever 14 is held against surface 34 of cam 2% by spring 3% which pivotally acts about pin 36. When the circuit is closed by a coin striking the arm of an electric switch, plunger 12 and the levers are pulled forward by solenoid 10, roller 18 of lever 14 rides down along the surface of cam 23 until it reaches a projecting edge 38, whereupon it is urged up beyond the edge by spring 3%? acting about pin 36. Simultaneously lever 16 pulls spring 26 into an expanded position, with the forward movement being limited by the stroke of the plunger.

The switching action is momentary, since the coin ice strikes the arm and then immediately falls into a collector box. Thereupon, the solenoid is deenergized, releasing plunger 12 and permitting spring as to contract and return levers -14 and id to the normal retracted position. At this time, roller 113 engages projecting edge 38 and forces cam 2'9 to rotate shaft 22 in a clockwise direction through a predetermined angle to actuate the timing device. The shaft thus rotates on the return stroke of the solenoid rather than on the forward stroke and the sudden momentum is dampened by the action of spring 26 which applies the force more gradually and absorbs the severest shock.

t may, therefore, be seen that the present invention achieves the desired positive rapid action of a switch and solenoid in rotating a shaft while avoiding possible damage.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it is apparent that the invention is not limited to the exact form or use indicated and that many other variations may be made in the instant design and configurations without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

A timer actuator for coin-operated washing machines, dryers and the like controlled by a timer having an operating shaft, said timer actuator comprising a solenoid, a plunger operatively connected to said solenoid, a bar connected at one end to said plunger, a spring connected to the opposite end of said bar, said spring, bar and plunger being substantially aligned with each other, the action of the solenoid on the plunger being in opposition to the action of the spring on said bar, whereby energization of the solenoid causes retraction of the plunger and bar against the action of said spring, thereby loading the spring, and whereby deenergization of the solenoid frees the plunger and bar for forward movement responsive to the action of the loading spring thereon, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said bar, a spring interconnecting one end of said lever with said bar and urging said lever to pivot in one direction about its pivotal axis, the opposite end of said lever being provided with a roller rotatably mounted thereon, and a bracket adapted to be secured to an operating shaft of a timer, said bracket being formed with an inclined portion terminating in a hook-shaped end portion, said lever being normally positioned with its roller engaging said inclined portion of the bracket, whereby energization of the solenoid causes the plunger, bar and lever to retract, said roller being thereby caused to move along said inclined portion of the bracket, while pivoting the lever in opposite direction about its pivotal axis against the action of the spring connected thereto until said roller clears the outside of said hook-shaped end portion, at which time said lastmentioned spring causes the lever to pivot in the firstmentioned direction about its pivotal axis and thereby moves the roller into position for engagement with the inside of said hook-shaped end portion, and further, whereby deenergization of said solenoid enables the firstmentioned spring to move said plunger, bar and lever forwardly, said roller being thereby thrust against the inside of said hook-shaped end portion, causing the bracket and the shaft to which it is connected to rotate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

